In this holiday season, we look to Christ the Lord and remember His glorious birth. Today, we will look closely at the angelic visitation of Gabriel to Mary. 1“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth.” In preparation to be married to Joseph, 1“the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” Her life for God had led her to this momentous occasion. Being so humble, this caught Mary off guard, as 1“she was troubled at his saying”. However, the angel again proclaimed, 1“Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.” She had no need to fear these words, for they were true. She was blessed in the sight of God. What was then told to her was remarkable. 1“Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:” She was a virgin so this birth was hard to comprehend, even though it was amazing that she would mother the Son of God. I can just imagine how she felt when she was told that in His 1“kingdom there shall be no end”. This baby would be no ordinary man.
Mary wondered how she could be pregnant, being kept modest in all things before the Lord. She had waited till marriage for any sexual relations. In this moment, the angel explained, 1“The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” It didn’t take a man of flesh to bring forth this child but God, through the Holy Spirit. What should come from Mary’s womb is holy. God has come in the flesh, through Mary. Things like this may seem impossible in people’s own eyes. But 1“with God nothing shall be impossible.” Nothing God wills to take place can ever be stopped. His love for us all was manifested in the birth of Jesus. Jesus didn’t have to be born but He did come. His purpose was different than anyone and that was to save us all from our sins. After Mary heard all this, she thought about it and then reacted graciously to the angel. She said, 1“be it unto me according to thy word.” If we all could have God’s directive in our lives and react this way. Instead of just hearing God’s Word, do something with it. As God wills in Your life, follow His counsel. Wherever He directs, follow!
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, it is amazing to read Your Words and learn of You. This time of year is always so special, since I can reflect on Your magnificent birth. Your coming into the world has given me great hope. I am no longer under sin and condemnation but under Your abundant grace. I have personally felt Your mercy in my life. Thank You for Your forgiveness. I am a new person only because of You, Jesus. All this is because You came. You came for me. You were born to save me from my sins. I am important in Your eyes. My life means everything to You. Thank You for caring so deeply for me. I think of Your birth and rejoice. I sing praises to Your Holy Name. Praises to the King of Glory. All glory and power to the Lord of lords. You, my Savior has come. Thank You. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
